Sport Safety

Sport Safety - Related Image

Sport Safety - Related Image

Sport Safety - Related Image

Friday, January
18, 2013 on CBC News: The Fifth Estate examined facts and circumstances surrounding
the death of Nic Zoricic, a Canadian Cross skier who lost his life in a
competition in Grindewald, Switzerland on March 10th, 2012.

In 2012 there were five incidents resulting in
loss of life. Only one in 2011 but the results would have been better if there
had been none. There were three deaths in 2010. Two people lost their lives in
2009 including famous actress Natasha Richardson. Other famous people losing
their life to the slopes include Sonny Bono and our own Michel Trudeau both in
1998. If improvements can be made to the courses the skiers use or rules
regarding where and when they can ski along with increased patrolling of the
slopes, possibly loss of life can be prevented. I am all for this investigative
report CBC has initiated. Good for them.

Nic was only
29 years old. My son was one of many of Nic’s friends in the Beach Community in
Toronto. The Zoricic family children were greatly admired. Nic and his sister
both participated competitively in their respective sports. Katarina excelled in
tennis and Nic in skiing. His family is dedicated to making skiing a safer sport which can be
enjoyed by all. There will always be “accidents” but hopefully the numbers of
injuries and deaths will go down and not up should increased measures for
safety be implemented.

Recently General
Motors offered free helmets to all children aged five playing hockey through Hockey
Canada. This program is endorsed by none other than our own Bobby Orr. Apparently
this program has been in place for many years. What a great way to help keep
kids safe while playing a sport they love. This sport has been given a lot of
bad press lately due to the number of head injuries caused by playing this
sport. This is after all a contact sport.Getting children used to wearing helmets during any contact sport early
on will help keep them safe. This is their motto: “Safety comes first – and it’s free”

We encourage
our children to play to stay healthy and to get involved in sports because of
the camaraderie and the activity which helps keep them moving. In order for
them to do this we must make sure safe spaces and equipment are available to
keep them safe. Rules are necessary as well. Boundaries are necessary. Please
let us keep our children safe and healthy.